Power turning mechanism for packing press



Aug. 22, 1961 F. E. DEEMS POWER TURNING MECHANISM FOR PACKING PRESS Filed June 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4. INVENTOR F69 NH 15' D5507:

BY 22% XA'ITORNEY Aug. 22, 1961 F. E. DEEMS POWER TURNING MECHANISM FOR PACKING PRESS Filed June 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .9 R Y F o E k WWE H E m w S m Q w m m m E H M f I F a i n W H IIIIIIII n M 05C. E a QQL L TS NQ SE 3h GWWN wN\ F United States Patent T POWER This invention relates to improvements in fiber handling machinery and in particular to a power turning mechanism for a packing press.

Cotton as it comes from the gins and other handling equipment is eventually placed in the form of bales for shipment to mills, etc. The cotton is usually conveyed from the gills to a pressing device or press. The latter forms the bales. As is commonly done the cotton is directed to a condenser above the press. Then the cotton is fed from the condenser to a tramper. The tramper comprises a device for tramping or stamping the cotton down into the press.

The press as most usually employed today comprises two boxes pivoted about a column. The column forms the center of the pres box assembly and the boxes are radially opposite each other. After the cotton has been tramped into one box it is swung from beneath the tramper and the other box is swung in line with the tramper. The latter box is then filled with cotton. While the latter box is being filled with cotton the first box is over or under a ram, as the case may be, and the latter compresses the cotton therein into a bale which may occupy approximately one third the space of the box. Then the side doors of the box are opened. The bale is wrapped with suitable ties and removed. Thus, there is a more or less continuous process interrupted solely during the period in which the boxes are being swung from one position in line with the tramper to another position in line with the ram.

The press boxes and connected elements are exceedingly heavy. Nonetheless they have always been rotated manually. Their extreme weight has heretofore made it difiicult to devise a satisfactory power drive, and for other reasons a power means of rotating the presses has not been used. Among the important factors bearing on the construction of a power turning means are the following: The tramper moves up and down in the press boxes as does the ram. Obviously the boxes should not be rotated until the ram and tramper are removed or retracted. Further, the ram and tramper should not be started into operation until the boxes are in alinement. The danger inherent in the relative movement of these heavy elements, among other reasons, has dictated that the boxes be turned manually.

The boxes are very heavy and they are difiicult to retate. This is particularly true in starting the rotating movement. Further, once the boxes have started, or they are swung around, the inertia which formerly made them diliicult to start makes them difficult to stop at the proper point. With manual rotation everything is left to the judgement of the laborer rotating the press boxes. Often they are rotated beyond the point at which they should be stopped.

Latching devices are usually provided on the presses to latch the boxes in proper position, that is, in alinement with the tramper and the ram. These latches fall into place as the boxes are rotated, and if there has been an error of judgement the latches are apt to be broken.

Therefore, due both to the fact that the procedure of rotating the box has been extremely slow, and there has been such misjudgement and breaking of latches, the need for developing a satisfactory power system for rotating the box has long been recognized. However, the

2,995,976 Patented Aug. 22, 1961 dangers inherent in the power system have also been apparent. With a power drive it is quite possible to start rotating before the latch is disengaged, or before the tramper is withdrawn, or otherwise jam or break the apparatus. Further, with a power drive it is possible to drive beyond the latching point and cause just as much damage, or even more than with manual rotation.

An object of this invention is to provide press box rotating means with which damage to the press and its associated mechanism is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a power driven press box rotating means which is simple and positive in operation.

According to the invention the press boxes are adapted to be rotated by a drive means including a fluid coupling device driven by a suitable motor, and an interlock system is provided which prevents operation of the motor drive when the tramper is operating, or the tramper platen is in the boxes, or when the latch is engaged.

Also, the objects of the invention are to provide a power drive for rotating press boxes which under normal conditions will rotate the boxes the correct number of degrees, and no more, automatically, once the drive has been placed in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tramper interlock system in conjunction with a pres box power drive and interlock system which will prevent operation of the tramper unless the press boxe are in the proper alinement with the platen.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational View of a press showing the drive system constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation View.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view illustrating the latch means.

FIGURE 5 is a circuit diagram for the press box drive means.

FIGURE 6 is a circuit diagram for the tramper control.

FIGURE 7 is a view illustrating a solenoid operated control valve.

Similar reference characters in the several views indicate similar parts.

Referring now particularly to the drawings the usual press 10 comprises a center post 12 and boxes, 16, 18. Follower blocks 20, 22 are slidably retained in the boxes and adapted to be pressed upwardly by a ram 24. Approximately midway of their height the boxes are joined to a platform 26. The latter is at the floor level 28 of the gin or other fiber handling building. Sills 30, side channels 32 and plate 34 form a frame for supporting the central column or post 12, platform 26, press boxes 16, 18, etc. The press boxes are adapted to rotate about the center post 12 and have suitable doors (not shown) which can be opened. Generally these are formed by mounting the sides of the boxes so that they pivot outwardly.

A tramper frame 36 is supported on the press frame. The tramper comprises a follower block 38. The latter has a rack (not shown) connected thereto and is driven by a gear (not shown) connected to shaft 40. Shaft 40 is connected by spur gears (not shown) to shaft 42. Pulley 44 is rigidly connected to shaft 42 whereas pulley 46 is connected by spur gears (not shown) to shaft 42. Pulleys are adapted to be belt driven from a suitable power source. A belt shifter 48 is provided for shifting the belt from the loose to the tight pulley and return. The belt shifter is moved by a fluid motor 50. The latter can be controlled by solenoid operated valves for remote operation. The fluid motor comprises preferably a piston and cylinder combination with the piston shaft being connected to the belt shifter and the cylinder being connected to the tramper frame. Rack 52 is driven by the connected rack pinion on shaft 40 to force follower block 38 into and out of a box positioned below. As is commonly known the cotton is dropped into the box below the follower block and the follower block moves vertically to tamp or tramp the cotton into the box. Eventually, of course, the box will become full and must be rotated from beneath the tramper to a position over the press. When in position over the press ram the ram is actuated and the cotton is compressed until it occupies about one-half the space of the box. In other words, the cotton is compressed until it is all above the platform 26. Then the sides of the box are opened, ties are placed around the bale thus formed and the bale is removed. Next the doors are closed, the ram is withdrawn and the empty box is ready to be rotated to position underneath the tramper to receive a new load of cotton.

According to my invention the boxes are rigidly connected to a sprocket gear 54. Sprocket gear 54 is adapted to be driven by motor 56 as follows: Fluid coupling 58 is driven by motor 56, and the output shaft of the coupling 58 is connected by a belt 60 to a pulley 62. The latter drives a reduction gear box 64. The output of gear box 64 is connected to sprocket 66, and the latter is connected to sprocket 54 by chain 68.

Platform 26 has a pair of latch keeper plates 70 diametrically positioned. These are adapted to cooperate with latch bolt 72. The latter are pivotally supported on the press frame so as to engage the latch plates and seat in a suitable depression therein thus preventing rotation of the press boxes. The plates and bolts are positioned so that the boxes will be latched directly in line with the tramper follower block and ram.

A push button control station 74 for controlling motor 56 is positioned on the side of the press. The station is wired to the power drive through an interlock system. The interlock system includes switches 76, 78 associated with cams 80 and 82 respectively on the tramper rack 52, and switch 84 cooperable with cams 86, 88. The earns 86, 88 are diametrically opposite each other and are affixed to the press boxes. The interlock system further includes a switch 90 and cams 92, 94. The latter cams are affixed to sprocket 54 in diametrically opposite locations. Lastly switch 96 is associated with latch bolt 72. The latter is pivoted on the frame at 98 and has a projecting overhang 100 which will engage the switch when the latch is pivoted to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4.

FIGURES and 6 illustrate the circuit for controlling the operation of the press box motor and the trarnper air cylinder. The circuits are conditioned as shown when the press elements are as seen in FIGURES 1 and 4. Motor 56 is seen to be connected to a starter and line circuit generally indicated at 102. The latter comprises contactors 104, 106 for forward or reverse operation respectively. The contactors are operated by relay coils 108, 110. These are in turn controlled by push button station 74 and switches 76, 90 and 96. Switch 76 is a snap action switch and has an operating arm as indicated on the drawings which when struck by cam 80 during a down stroke will move to open position. Switch 76 will close when struck on the up stroke.

Switch 96 is a normally open switch, but when operated by its operating arm (the projecting portion 100 of bolt 72) it will be moved to closed position. Switch 76 and cam 80 are so mounted that switch 76 will be opened whenever the follower block 38 projects into the box. Switch 96 is so situated with respect to its operating member 100 that it will be opened whenever the latch bolt is positioned in the keeper plate. As a result, referring to FIG. 5, it is seen that line 112 will be broken except when the follower block is retracted and the latch bolt is withdrawn. From an inspection of the diagram in FIG. 5 it is obvious that leads 112 and 114 must both be closed in order to have forward rotation of the press boxes (see arrow FIG. 3). Leads 114 and 116 must be closed to have reverse operation. During forward operation leads 114 and 112 are placed in series with coil 10S and lead 118. During reverse operation leads 114 and 116, coil and lead 118 are placed in series. Switch 90 is seen as a normally closed switch.

Referring now to the push button station it is seen that switches 120 to 126 are all normally closed switches, but are adapted to be moved to break the leads which they shunt. Further, switches 122, 124 and 126 are double throw switches in that they can be moved to break circuits and at the same time close circuits which are normally open insofar as said switches are concerned.

The circuit for starting the motor is from line 128 through line 114 through switch 90, switch 120, switch 122, line 130 and contacts 132, switch 96, switch 76, lead 112, coil 108, line 118, line 134 to line 137. It is seen that when the forward push button is depressed to bridge contacts 132 the motor will be brought into operation and the boxes will be swung around the center post. Contacts 138 are normally closed and connect line 130 to line 140. The latter connects through contactor 104 to line 142, and thus a holding circuit is made through coil 108 when the contactor 106 closes. The motor, therefore, will continue to run.

Cams 92, 94 are arranged so that they will operate to open normally closed switch 90. The cams are so positioned that the circuit through lead 114, and lines 140, 142 will be broken before the boxes reach their final position. The timing is such that the boxes will coast into proper alinement for the latch bolt 72 to seat in the keeper plates 70.

The novel fluid drive construction associated with the press boxes and the control circuit functions to provide a unique method of starting the rotation of a relatively heavy load without damage to transmission elements and also provides a most desirable operation at the end of the rotative movement of the boxes. Furthermore, a motor 56 is a brake type motor. With such a motor a brake is applied which will arrest the movement of the motor shaft whenever the motor coils are deenergized. As a result of such construction switch 90 operates to stop the motor shaft through the means of the brake and the boxes are braked by the fluid coupling. This provides a means for arresting or braking the movement of the boxes without damage. A relatively high speed movement of the boxes is possible and yet the boxes can be stopped quickly without damage. When the motor shaft stops the boxes coast sufficiently to bring the latch plate and bolt into alinement and such coasting movement is braked by the fluid coupling 58 so that the stopping of the boxes will be controlled. The boxes will normally move speedily throughout most of the turning movement, but during the final part of the turn they will gently approach their proper alined positions. The drive motor for rotating the boxes, 141, is of the well known brake motor type which has a brake which automatically sets whenever the power is off. In one form of motor employing these brakes the brake is set by a spring and released by a solenoid. The brake is a disc brake positioned at one end of the motor shaft. These motor brakes are employed in many different installations and have been used for years. Accordingly, a detailed description of the motor brake is not given. Only the brake solenoid winding 143 is illustrated in FIGURE 5, and the brake, like the motor, is merely schematically represented in FIGURE 3 without the details being shown. The motor is wired into the circuit in the usual manner.

In FIGURE 5 there is also illustrated at 149 the overload protectors which as is well known will function to break the holding circuit for the contactors 104 or 106 in the event of a voltage or current overload. These structures are also well known, and they are not disclosed in detail herein as part of the invention.

If for some reason the press should stop before reaching latched position power may be applied by the jog forward push button 124. Also, if for some reason the press should run past the latched position it can be returned by use of the jog reverse push button 132. The press can be stopped in any position by use of the stop push button. The jog reverse push button it is seen connects line 128 to lead 116 and coil 108 closing the reverse contactor 106.

Referring now to FIG. 6 reference character 144 indicates a solenoid coil for operating a valve for admitting fluid to motor 50 to shift the belt onto the tight pulley and reference character 146 indicates a solenoid coil for operating a valve to admit fluid to the double acting cylinder or motor 50 to shift the belt to the loose pulley. The solenoid operated valves are old and well known and, therefore, are not described in detail. A push button control station 148 is provided for controlling the operation of the fluid motor 50. This station contains two push buttons 150, 152. It is seen that power is connected to the fluid motor valve solenoids 144- and 146 from the line through either one of the push buttons. Pilot valve 53 is connected to the armatures of the solenoids as indicated in FIG. 7. The pilot valve is operated by the solenoids to admit fluid to one side or the other of motor 50 in accordance with the operation of the push buttons 150, 152.

Switch 84' is a normally open switch, but is adapted to be closed by cams 86 and 88. Cams 86 and 88 are positioned so that they will close switch 84 only when one of the press boxes is in line with the tramper. At such time the other press box is in line with the ram. Switch 150 when depressed will cause operation of the run solenoid valve when switch 84 is closed.

Switch 152 will cause energization of the stop solenoid coil only when switch 78 is closed. Switch 78 is a snap action switch and it is closed by cam 82 only when the tramper is retracted from the box. Thus, the belt can be shifted to the loose pulley only when the tramper is fully retracted. Momentary contact of switch 78 by cam 82 will be sufficient to energize the stop solenoid coil whenever switch 152 is depressed. Therefore, switch 78 could be a normally open switch which would have contact only when the cam 82 is in proper alinement therewith.

From the above it will be seen that the tramper belt shifter can be moved to stop operation of the tramper only when the tramper is retracted from the boxes and can be shifted to start operation of the tramper only when the boxes are in line with the tramper. Switch 78 and cam 82 can be positioned to allow slight over travel. In other words, they can be positioned to close switch 78 on the up stroke of the follower block. Due to the gear reduction there is not much over travel of the follower block.

From the foregoing description it is seen that I have provided a power driven press box rotating means for use in association with a press having a power driven tramper which is fool proof in operation, yet which will allow of speedy rotation of the press boxes. The system is so arranged and coordinated that the press boxes cannot be rotated while the tramper is in one of the boxes and that the tramper cannot be started unless one of the boxes is in alinement therewith. Further, the press boxes will automatically come into alinement with latch means for retaining them in alinement during the tramper operation.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a packing press, a tramper, a pair of boxes adapted to be alternately positioned beneath said tramper, said tramper being insertable alternately into each of said boxes as the latter are positioned beneath said tramper, said tramper having a retracted position in which said tramper is withdrawn from said boxes, said boxes being pivotally connected to said tramper and adapted to be rotated from a position in which the first of said boxes is beneath said tramper to a position in which the second of said boxes is beneath said tramper, drive means for rotating said boxes comprising a power drive including a fluid transmission member and a motor means, means connecting said motor means to said fluid transmission member, means connecting said fluid transmission member and said boxes, drive means for operating said tramper, a first control circuit including at least two switches for controlling said drive means for rotating said boxes, a second control circuit including at least two switches for controlling said drive means for operating said tramper, one of the switches of both the said first and the said second circuits being operable by said tramper and the other one of the switches of both the said first and the said second circuits being operable by said boxes for breaking and making said circuits for operating or stopping both said drive means, one of the switches operable by said boxes being operable thereby when one of said boxes is beneath said tramper to close the circuit for said tramper drive means, one of the switches operable by said tramper being operable when said tramper is withdrawn from said boxes to close the circuit for said drive means for rotating said boxes.

2. In a packing press, a tramper, a pair of boxes adapted to be alternately positioned beneath said tramper, said tramper being insertable alternately into each of said boxes as the latter are positioned beneath said tramper, said tramper having a retracted position in which said tramper is withdrawn from said boxes, said boxes being pivotally connected to said tramper and adapted to be rotated from a position in which the first of said boxes is beneath said tramper to a position in which the second of said boxes is beneath said tramper, drive means for rotating said boxes comprising a power drive including a fluid transmission member and a motor means, means connecting said motor means to said fluid trans mission member, means interconnecting said fluid trans mission member and said boxes, drive means for operating said tramper, a first control circuit for controlling said drive means for said boxes, a second control circuit for controlling said drive means for said tramper, the said first circuit including a switch operable by said tramper, the said second circuit including a switch operable by said boxes respectively in accordance with the relative position between said tramper and said boxes for respectively breaking said circuits for operating said drive means, said switches being correlated through means connected to said boxes and means connected to said tramper to prevent operation of said tramper whenever a selected one of said boxes is out of alignment with said tramper and prevent rotative movement of said boxes when said tramper is inserted in one of said boxes, the switch operable by said boxes being operable thereby when one of said boxes is beneath said tramper to close a portion of the circuit for said tramper drive means, the switch operable by said tramper being operable when said tramper is withdrawn from said boxes to close a portion of the circuit for said drive means for said boxes.

3. A power turning mechanism for a packing press comprising a motor having a shaft, a rotatable packing press box, a gear connected to said packing press box, means for driving said gear to rotate said box comprising a fluid coupling drivingly connected to said motor and to said gear, a control circuit for controlling said motor, said circuit being operable when closed, a switch forming part of said circuit and positioned on said press 8 adjacent said box, said switch being operable to open and closed positions, means mounted on said box for operat-' ing said switch, the last named means being operable upon rotation of said box to operate said switch to open position and break said circuit, means for closing said circuit when said switch is in closed position to operate said motor, an electrical brake operably connected to said shaft, said brake being operable by closure of said circuit to release said shaft, said switch being operable to stop said motor when operated to open position by said means on said box, said brake serving to engage and hold said shaft when said switch is operated to open position during rotation of said box to stop said motor, said fluid coupling forming a fluid brake for said box.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there is latch means provided for latching said boxes alternately beneath said tramper, and said second control circuit includes a switch means operable by said latch means to open and closed positions, and being operable to an open position by said latch means when one of said boxes is latched by said latch means in position beneath said tramper for insertion of said tramper within said one of said boxes.

5. A power turning mechanism for a packing press comprising a packing press frame, a packing press box rotatably mounted with respect to said frame, means for rotating said box comprising a motor, a transmission comprising a fluid coupling drivingly connecting said motor to said box and an electrical control circuit for controlling said motor, said circuit being operable when closed to cause said motor to operate to rotate said box relative to said frame, an electrical switch in said circuit positioned on said frame adjacent said box, said switch being adapted to make or break a portion of the circuit associated therewith, said box having a position of relative rotation with respect to said frame in which it is adapted to receive fiber, means for closing said circuit to energize said motor to rotate said box out of and into and out of said position when said switch is closed, an electrically controlled brake connected to said motor for stopping said motor, said brake being operable to stop said motor when said circuit is opened, said switch being operable to open said circuit and deenergize said motor after said circuit has been closed by the last named means, means on said box engageable with said switch to open the latter as said box is rotated, toward said position, the last named means being operable to operate said brake to stop said motor through operation of said switch to open position, said transmission being constructed so that said box will coast into said position and be braked by said fluid coupling as it coasts into said position when said switch is opened by the last named means and said brake is operated to stop said motor as said box is being rotated toward said position by said motor.

6. A power turning mechanism for a packing press comprising a packing press frame, a packing press box rotatably mounted with respect to said frame, means for rotating said box comprising a motor, a transmission comprising a fluid coupling drivingly connecting said motor to said box and an electrical control circuit for controlling said motor, said circuit being operable when closed to cause said motor to operate to rotate said box relative to said frame, an electrical switch in said circuit positioned on said frame adjacent said box, said box having a position of relative rotation with respect to said frame in which it is adapted to receive fiber, said switch being adapted to make or break a portion of the circuit associated therewith, means for closing said circuit to energize said motor to rotate said box into and out of said position, said switch being operable to open said circuit and deenergize said motor, means on said box engageable with said switch to open the latter as said box is rotated toward said position, said transmission constructed so that said box will coast into said position and be braked by said fluid coupling as it coasts into position when said switch is opened by the last named means as said box is being moved into position by said motor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including a latch means, said latch means being operable to latch said press box in fixed position with respect to said frame, and said circuit including a switch operable to open and closed positions by said latch means, the latter switch being operable to open position by said latch means when said box is locked in position by operation of said latch means, and being operable to break said circuit when in open position.

8. The combination with a fiber baling press having a press box movable from a position to receive fiber from fiber supply apparatus to a position for fiber in the box to be compressed by a ram or the like, of power driven means to move the press box from one of said positions to the other, mechanical latch means for positively latching the press box against movement when in said positions, electrical control circuits including a first switch for energizing the power driven means, a common manual control means for said latch means and said first switch eifective when moved to one position to unlatch the press box and to close said switch thereby to energize the power driven means and move the press box, and other electric switches in said circuit effective to render ineffective the closing of said first switch when any parts of either said fiber supply apparatus or said ram are in the path of movement of the press box.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 in which additional electric switches are provided in said circuits effective automatically to de-energize the press box power driven means upon completion of movement of the box from one of said positions to the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,656,007 Louth Jan. 10, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,741 France Mar. 14, 1921 

